Does the rhythmic drumming of woodpeckers on your home keep you up at night? You are not alone! These busy birds can cause serious damage to your siding, eaves, and even the structural wood of your house. Many homeowners turn to a popular solution: the owl decoy. But here’s the tricky part—not all owl decoys scare away woodpeckers effectively. Some look too fake, and the birds quickly realize the trick, laughing at your efforts.
Choosing the right owl decoy for woodpecker control is frustrating. You want something that looks real enough to work, but you don’t want to waste money on a plastic owl that sits ignored in your yard. We understand the need for a quiet, protected home. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly what features make an owl decoy truly effective against persistent woodpeckers.
Keep reading to discover the secrets to selecting a decoy that works, how to place it correctly for maximum impact, and finally enjoy the peace and quiet you deserve. Let’s dive into making your yard woodpecker-free!
Top Owl Decoy For Woodpeckers Recommendations
No. 1
Hedoc 2 Pack Fake Owl Decoys to Scare Birds Away, Rotating Head Bird Deterrents, Nature Enemy Scarecrow Plastic Statues, Pest Repellent for Gardens and Patios
- Why Choose Our Bird Deterrent Garden Protectors: The horned owl scarecrow scares birds away from fruit trees or vine, squirrels, pigeons, rabbits, seagulls, varmints, raccoons and small mammal etc. Especially big yellow bright eyes and realistic physique to frighten birds, Keep the annoying visitors out of your garden, backyard, patio, and deck
- Not Just a Scarecrow: The fake owl for bird deterrent is made with high-end weatherproof PE plastic and hand-painted non-fading vivid color. Besides being an excellent bird repellent, this adorable and vivid owl decor can embellish your garden, patio, house, hall, restaurant, and hotel
- No Battery Required: The owl decoy head rotates 360 degrees and has a wind panel on the back of the head, acts as a wind vane naturally. Suggestions: you move owl decoy around regularly to keep critter friends guessing, the protection will be last long
- Easy To Install: The bottom of the owl has an anchor, you can also fill the owl decoy with sand in the base for stability, stick the fin in the back of its head, the wind helps to move the motion head around so owl looks like its rotating on its own like a real owl, and scare away birds effectively
- Realistic Design: The bird repellent imitation owl keep birds, squirrels, woodpeckers, hawk away humanely without harming them. Measures: each approx 5 inch(L) x 5 inch(W) x 10.6 inch(H). If you are not satisfied, feel free to talk to us, we will listen
No. 2
Dalen Large Fake Owl Decoy to Scare Birds Away - 16 in Hand-Painted Great Horned Owl Garden Scarecrow for Natural Pest Control - Fixed Head Design - Secure Upright by Filling with Sand/Gravel Only
- Large Realistic Decoy: Our patented Natural Enemy Scarecrow Owl is extremely lifelike. Hand painted, so every detail mimics the presence of a real bird of prey, to provide effective and safe pest dissuasion that does not harm wildlife. The Dalen owl stands at 16” tall, dwarfing the competition.
- Durable & Realistic Design: We have exclusively crafted the texture and color of a real owl perched on a log. Our realistic decoy is finished with a protective weather-resistant coating to enhance durability. We recommend using our Natural Enemy Scarecrows as needed and keeping them indoors when out of use or moving decoys around your garden to avoid pests becoming accustomed to them. This owl is not a bobblehead, so the head does not move.
- Safely Deters Birds And Pests: The most effective Natural, Safe and Humane pest control product in the market. Safely keep your garden and home free from unwanted pests without polluting or using harsh and hazardous substances. The hollow base can be filled with sand or gravel to stand upright and provide stability in windy areas; do not fill with water.
- Not Just A Scarecrow: If you are an owl lover, you will be thrilled with our realistic Great Horned rendering. Besides being an excellent bird repellent, this magnificent work of art makes an amazingly unique outdoor/indoor décor. It is the perfect garden ornament.
- Made in the USA Manufactured and hand-painted in the USA using durable, premium materials. The result is the best detailed, non-fading, and all-weather painted owl. If you are not satisfied, feel free to talk to us, and we will make it right.
No. 3
Hausse 2 Pack Fake Owl Decoys to Scare Birds Away, Rotating Head Plastic Owl Bird Deterrents, 10.6 Inch Height Bird Scarecrow Nature Enemy Horned Pest Repellent for Outdoor Garden Yard
- Bird Repellent Garden Protectors: 2 pack horned owl statue set could scares away the animals like birds, pests, squirrel, raccoons, and more. Keep all pests and birds away effortlessly. Environmentally friendly and wildlife friendly, get rid of birds and pests humanely without harming them. Measures: each approx.5 inch(L) x 5 inch(W) x 10.6 inch(H).
- Great Design: The head of our owl sculpture is connected to the body by spring, the head will rotate when the wind blows and look lifelike. Bottom tab for filling with sand to weight for more stability. Can also easily placing the plastic owl on a stick or pole with the hollow bottom.
- High Quality: Made of sturdy molded plastic and seems very realistic, scare away birds effectively. This rotating head owl have the iconic eagle beak, binocular-like frightening eyes and extremely detailed feathers to create a terrifying predatory look.
- Stylish Decoration: Can be placed in the garden, patio, or porch. Also could be placed in indoor to decorate your living room, hall, restaurant, hotel. With our scarecrow owl, you don't have to worry about pigeons messing up your balcony or squirrels roaming your deck.
- Widely Use: The bird repellent owl is both practical and decorative. It can be used in farmland to protect rice and vegetables, or hung on fruit trees or vine, widely use in orchards, gardens, barns, trees. Prevent your gardens, windows, orchard, barn, crops, boats or cars from bird, make your house, yard, lawn, pond or else more beautiful.
No. 4
3-Pack Owl Decoys for Bird Deterrent - Weatherproof Bird Repellent Devices for Outdoor Use - Plastic Owls to Scare Birds Away and Control Garden Pests
- 【Great Value】Our owl set design includes 3 decoys for the price of one, providing a cost-effective solution to protect your property from bird damage. If you're looking to try using owl decoys to solve your bird problems, our set is the best choice. With two extra owls included, you can cover more areas and increase the effectiveness of the deterrent.
- 【Easy Installation】The owl decoy comes with a bottom tab that can be filled with sand to increase stability. It can also be easily mounted on a stick or pole with the hollow bottom.
- 【Versatile Decoration】The garden owl statue is not only a practical bird deterrent, but also a stylish and eye-catching decoration for your garden, patio, or home.
- 【Non-fading Design]】The owl scarecrow features a delicate, hand-painted surface with non-fading, water-proof, and weather-resistant paint that ensures it will protect your garden plants and flowers from birds in all kinds of weather conditions.
- 【Wildlife-Friendly】This animal statue is designed to be a humane and eco-friendly solution to bird control. It is ready to use straight out of the box - simply set it down or hang it up, and it will effectively deter birds from your property.
No. 5
Hedoc Fake Owl Decoys to Scare Birds Away, Rotating Head Sculptures, Nature Enemy Scarecrow Plastic Statues, Pest Repellent, Bird Control and Pigeon Deterrent Outdoor Yard, Garden Protectors
- Why Choose Our Owl Statue: Owl decoy lifelike bobble head is easy shaking and rotating by gentle breezes. The fake owl scarecrow scares birds away from fruit trees or vine, nature enemies of squirrels, pigeons, rabbits, wild bunny , seagulls, varmints, raccoons and small mammal etc. Especially big yellow bright eyes and realistic physique to frighten birds, Keep the annoying visitors out of your garden, backyard, patio, and deck
- Non-fading Owl Decorations: The fake owl for bird deterrent is made with high-end weatherproof PE plastic and hand-painted non-fading vivid color. Adorable and vivid owl decor can embellish your garden, patio, house, hall, restaurant, and hotel. This plastic owl decoys to scare birds and squirrels motion activated away can protect your garden plants flowers outdoor in all kinds of weather conditions
- No Battery Required: The decoy owl head rotates 360 degrees and has a wind panel on the back of the head, acts as a wind vane naturally(The wind panel can be found inside the owl sculpture's body).Suggestions: you move owl decoy around regularly to keep critter friends guessing, the protection will be last long
- Easy To Install: The bottom of the owl has an anchor, you can also fill the owl decoy with sand in the base for stability, stick the fin in the back of its head, the wind helps to move the motion head around so owl looks like its rotating on its own like a real owl. And equipped with two nails to conveniently place anywhere in the garden, patio, porch, orchards, and barn
- Wildlife Friendly Protector: The bird repellent owl keep birds, squirrels, pest woodpeckers, hawk away humanely without harming them. It is a great non-invasive deterrent. Measures: each approx.6 inch(L) x6 inch(W) x15 inch(H).if you have any problem, please feel free to contact us
No. 6
Owl Decoys to Scare Birds Away, 2 Pack BobbleHead Fake Owls Plastic Scarecrow Bird Deterrent, Nature Enemy Scarecrow Plastic Owl Statues, Garden Decor Statues for outside, Patio, Lawn, Yard Decoration
- Rocking Head Owls Sculpture. The WonderField owl sculpture’s head can sway along the breeze or wobble by your touch. Connected by a flexible spring, the head of this owl decoy sculpture can be adjusted to your desired position. Its body can be filled with sand, or pebbles to weight up for stability and a rod can be attached to the bottom for ease of securing to structures or fixtures.
- Natural Enemy Scarecrow. Owls are natural predators to keep birds, squirrels, woodpeckers, chicks away. Our fake imitation owls is a scaled down version of the actual Great Horned Owl, with bright yellow eyes, movable head, and realistic appearance. This owl scarecrow can be a Natural, Safe and Humane without causing harm to the animals, a great non-invasive deterrent.
- Waterproof & Outdoor Ready. The fake owl for bird deterrent is made with high-end weatherproof PE plastic and hand-painted non-fading vivid color. Adorable and vivid owl decor can embellish your garden, patio, yard, house, restaurant, hotel and other spaces.
- Garden and Home Decorations. Sized down to be easily carried, this fake owl decoration can be fitted to more environments than its full size counterpart. It can be fitted in your orchard, garden, barn, trellis, trees, or even cars and boats dashboard. This will be a lively addition to your otherwise still scenery.
- Realistic Design. Our team designed this owl statue specifically for the North America environment, being one of the most common owls in the North America, active in wetlands, grassland, forest, backyards, cities, and even deserts, we hope wherever you place this statue, it will liven up your space, keeping away your annoyance, and help guard your garden.
No. 7
Dyvicl Fake Owl Hanging Reflective Owl Woodpecker Bird Deterrent Control Device for House Windows Outdoor Garden Yard, 2 Pack
- Hanging Owl for Multiple Occasions - Dyvicl 16-inch large owl-shaped hanging fake owl imitates the real owl. Protect assets to minimize losses. Woodpecker deterrent for the house, windows, cars, backyard, patio, garden, balcony, docks, fruit trees, automobiles, and equipment
- Reflect Light and Produce Sound - Reflective owls use realistic 3D eyes, thick plastic, long-lasting, double-sided, and weatherproof. Coating with a holographic diamond pattern can reflect the bright flashes of light from multiple angles. Hanging bells produce sound
- Easy to Hang - The hanging owl with a strap is easy to hang anywhere you need. Depending on the expanse of the area that you want to cover, best not to rely on just one or two. NOTE: Please use outdoor sunlight and a breeze, keep the plastic owl reflector moving in the wind to make a ringing sound
- Multiplicity - You can make your design, combined with reflective deterrent discs, tape, spikes, and rods. Large silver owls will not harm a single feather. Keep from hitting windows, getting into your garden, balcony, outdoor living area, and more
- Purchase Without Risk - We have great faith in our shiny owl – after all, we use it ourselves! We stand behind our product. Make your purchase with confidence; If you have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to us
No. 8
Dyvicl Fake Owl Hanging Reflective Owl for Woodpecker Deterrent 4 Pack, Bonus 6 Reflective Scare Spiral Rods
- Hanging Reflective Owl & Rod for Multiple Occasions - The set comes with 4 pcs hanging reflective owls, bonus 6 pcs hanging spinner scare rods. Woodpecker deterrent for house, windows, cars, backyard, patio, garden, balcony, docks, fruit trees, automobiles, and equipment
- Reflect Light and Produce Sound - Reflecting owls use realistic 3D eyes, thick plastic, long-lasting, double-sided, and weatherproof. Coating with a holographic diamond pattern can reflect the bright flashes of light from multiple angles. Hanging bells produce sound. The rods only spin and reflect the light
- Easy to Hang - The hanging owl with a strap is easy to hang anywhere you need. Depending on the expanse of the area that you want to cover, best not to rely on just one or two. NOTE: Please use outdoor sunlight and a breeze, keep the plastic owl reflector moving in the wind to make a ringing sound
- Multiplicity - You can make your design, combined with reflective deterrent discs, tape, or spikes. Large silver owls will not harm a single feather. Keep from hitting windows, getting into your garden, balcony, outdoor living area, and more
- Purchase Without Risk - We have great faith in our shiny owl and spiral rod– after all, we use it ourselves! We stand behind our product. Make your purchase with confidence; If you have any concerns, please feel free to reach out to us
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Owl Decoy for Woodpeckers
Woodpeckers can drill holes in your home or damage your favorite trees. An owl decoy can scare them away safely. This guide will help you pick the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When buying an owl decoy, look for features that make it look real. Realism is key to scaring pests.
- Realistic Appearance: The decoy should look like a real owl. Look for bright, large eyes. Good paint colors help too. A natural shape matters a lot.
- Movement: Some decoys move their heads. This mimics a real owl hunting. Head rotation makes the decoy more believable to birds.
- Size and Weight: The decoy needs to be big enough to look threatening. However, it should not be so heavy that it falls easily.
- Easy Installation: You should be able to hang or mount the decoy easily on a roof, tree, or post.
Important Materials
The material affects how long your decoy lasts. Good materials resist weather.
Most quality owl decoys use durable plastic, like high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This plastic holds up well against sun and rain. Some have rubber parts for flexibility. Avoid very cheap, thin plastic. Thin plastic breaks easily when the wind blows hard or the sun beats down.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality matters for long-term use. A well-made decoy works better and lasts longer.
What Makes a Decoy Better:
- UV Resistance: Good paint and plastic resist fading from the sun. Faded colors look fake quickly.
- Durability: Strong seams and thick plastic resist cracking.
- Reflective Elements: Some decoys have reflective tape or eyes. These catch the light, adding realism.
What Lowers Quality:
- Poor Paint Job: Sloppy paint makes the owl look unnatural.
- Fixed Head: If the head never moves, woodpeckers might figure out it is fake fast.
- Lightweight Design: If the decoy is too light, a strong gust of wind might knock it over or spin it around constantly.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about where you need to place the decoy. Different spots need different mounting options.
Most people place these decoys near areas woodpeckers attack. This might be the eaves of the house, a favorite tree, or a wooden fence post. Users report the best success when they move the decoy every few days. If the owl stays in one spot too long, woodpeckers get used to it.
Installation should be simple. Many decoys offer a loop for hanging with fishing line or wire. Others have a flat base for screwing onto a surface. Check reviews to see how easy other buyers found the setup process.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Owl Decoys
Q: Will an owl decoy really scare away woodpeckers?
A: Yes, usually. Woodpeckers see the owl as a natural predator and avoid the area. Consistency in placement helps it work better.
Q: How long do these decoys usually last outside?
A: A good quality plastic decoy can last two to five years before the paint fades too much or the plastic becomes brittle.
Q: Should I buy a decoy with a moving head?
A: A moving head improves the decoy’s effectiveness greatly. The slight movement tricks the birds better than a completely still object.
Q: Do I need to use more than one decoy?
A: If you have a very large yard or multiple problem areas, using two or three decoys might be necessary. Start with one and add more if needed.
Q: Can I use this decoy to scare away other birds?
A: Yes. Owl decoys often deter pigeons, starlings, and sometimes even squirrels, as they all fear owls.
Q: What is the best way to mount the decoy?
A: Hang it from a tree branch or the edge of your roof using strong wire or fishing line. Make sure it hangs high enough to be visible.
Q: How often should I move the decoy?
A: Move the decoy every three to five days. This keeps the woodpeckers guessing and prevents them from realizing it is not real.
Q: Does the color of the decoy matter?
A: Yes. Look for natural colors like brown, gray, or white, similar to real owls in your area. Bright, unnatural colors might reduce effectiveness.
Q: What if the woodpeckers ignore my decoy?
A: First, check if the decoy looks real enough. Second, move it immediately to a new location. Third, make sure its eyes are clean and shiny.
Q: Are owl decoys safe for pets?
A: Yes. Owl decoys are completely harmless plastic objects. They do not use chemicals or traps, making them safe for yards with pets and children.